National News Briefs; Novelist Stephen King Listed in Stable Condition

Published: June 21, 1999

LEWISTON, Me., June 20—
The best-selling horror author, Stephen King, was alert and in good spirits today after surgery for injuries suffered on Saturday when he was struck by a van while he was walking along a rural Maine highway.

Mr. King remained in serious but stable condition, and he faces additional surgery this week, said Chuck Gill, a spokesman for Central Maine Medical Center here.

Officials said Mr. King, 51, was thrown 14 feet when he was hit in rural Lovell, where he owns a summer home.

Mr. Gill said Mr. King suffered a collapsed lung and fractures of the right leg and hip. He underwent surgery about 3:30 A.M. today for a scalp cut.

Mr. King was conscious and alert after the operation. His wife, Tabitha, his children and other relatives were with him.

''He's been alert and he's in pretty good spirits,'' Mr. Gill said. Hospital officials said Mr. King had been talking with his wife and cracking jokes to staff members about his condition.

Mr. King was walking south on the shoulder of state Route 5 about 4:30 P.M. on Saturday when a driver approaching from behind lost control of his van because of a dog that was loose inside, said Matt Baker, an Oxford County Sheriff's deputy.